SAG-AFTRA, Producers Continue Negotiations as Deadline Passes

SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers passed the midnight expiration of their current contract with no word of a new deal or formal extension.

The three-year contract between Hollywood’s largest performers union and producers expired at midnight PT on June 30, but both sides agreed to extend it in 24-hour increments in the late evening on each of the last three days. But Monday came and went with no word of a fourth straight extension, and a deal had not been announced by 3 a.m. PT Tuesday.

Representatives of both sides did not respond to requests for comment. SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP have been negotiating under a formal media blackout.

Some of the major issues in this round of contract talks include compensation for short seasons, such as those preferred by many streaming services and premium cable channels, residual payments, and relocation allowances for parts on Hollywood hits that shoot in places like Atlanta.

Last Sunday, the guild’s national board of directors unanimously voted for a strike authorization referendum if a deal could not be reached by midnight Friday. Later that day, letter posted on its website, SAG-AFTRA President and Chair of the TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee Gabrielle Carteris and National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator David White blasted producers for “outrageous rollbacks” and said the guild would prepare to strike rather than succumb to “management’s onerous demands.”

“We have presented reasonable proposals to address the critical concerns facing our members and that are integral to making a living in this industry,” they wrote. ” The AMPTP has responded with outrageous rollbacks that cut to the core of our basic terms and conditions. Despite our efforts, the AMPTP has failed to make sufficient progress on our most critical issues. The status quo is simply unacceptable and our members, standing together, will not give in to management’s onerous demands nor back down on our critical proposals.”

But since guild’s proclaimed midnight deadline on Friday came and went, both sides have extended talks on a day-by-day basis three times in order to continue working on a deal.

23 TV Shows Most Affected by 2007-08 Writers' Strike (Photos)

With a potential writers strike looming if the WGA and AMPTP can't see eye to eye in their negotiations, TheWrap looks back at the 2007-2008 strike and its impact on TV shows.

"Lost" had just aired 8 episodes from it's fourth season when the strike began, and while it only had a month break, the season lost two episodes in total. They were added to season 5 and 6, respectively.

"Prison Break"

The third season of the show starring Wentworth Miller saw an extremely shortened third season, only having 13 episodes instead of 22.

The CBS show was put on halt for four months the first season it was on air, and eventually only got to 17 of the planned 22 episodes.

CBS

"Bones"

The Fox show felt a blow from the writers strike in its third season, where it was put on hiatus for four months after only 13 out of 23 episodes were filmed. When the strike ended, only two more were filmed.

Fox

"Desperate Housewives"

The hit show also received a shortened season and a three-month break.

ABC

"Family Guy"

The fox animated series had 9 completed episodes before the strike began although 22 were planned. When the strike ended, only 3 more were produced.

The show's fifth season missed out on four episodes because of the strike.

CW

"Scrubs"

According to Uproxx, Bill Lawrence was ready to end "Scrubs" after season 7, but then the strike happened and only 11 episodes were aired. The show then moved over to ABC and two episodes produced after the strike aired as part of the eighth season.

ABC

"The Unit"

The third season aired on Sept. 25, 2007 before the hiatus occurred after the 11th episode. The show returned five months later for the fourth and final season.